Westminster United Church

“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

May 27, 2007

Today is known as Trinity Sunday – an opportunity to contemplate the mystery of God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three persons, one God.

If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.

Prelude Marching Mice, Goodnight Dolls, Voluntary  (Jocelyn & Shauna)  

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:      Like the earth.

All:        God is under our feet.

One:      Like the sky.

All:        God is over our heads.

One:      Like the air.

All:        God is all around us and gives us life.

One:      Like a dream.

All:        God is mysterious and beyond us.

One:      God is in us.

All:        We are in God.

One:      Let us rejoice.

All:        Let us worship God.

 Opening Prayer (Unison)

Gracious God, who creates, sustains, and redeems all life, we come seeking your disturbing presence and comforting peace.  We praise you for the joy of being your people.  May your Spirit be with us and move within us in this time of worship.  Give us hearts that hear your Word, and minds that are open to the transforming power of your love.  Amen

Jr. Choir Sings "Let There Be Peace On Earth".

    Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

   Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

   With God as our Father, Brothers all are we.

   Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

   Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment now.

   With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow.

   To take each moment and live each moment,

   In peace eternally.  Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

One:      You asked for my hands, that you might use them for your purpose.

All:        I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them for the work was hard.

One:      You asked for my mouth, to speak out against injustice.

All         I gave you a whisper, that I might not be accused.

One:      You asked for my eyes, to see the pain of poverty.

All:        I closed them, for I did not want to see.

One:      You asked for my life, that you might work through me.

All:        I have a small part, that I might not get too involved.

One:      O God, forgive me for my calculated efforts to serve you only when it is convenient for me to                        do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so, and only with those who make it easy to do so.

All:     O God, forgive me, renew me, send me out as a useable instrument, that I might

            take seriously the meaning of the cross  …(A time for silent reflection).

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 627

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 8 and Romans 5:1-5 From Christian Scriptures.

 Hymn # 337 “Blessed Assurance”

John 16:12-15 From the Gospels Pg. 139 (Read from NRSV)

One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Reflection: “Spirit of Truth”

Hymn # 375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”

Mission Moment:  Sean Wilkinson

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory   “Morning Prayer” By Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Dedication #538 “For the Gift of Creation”

For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,

and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,

we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.

May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 226 “For the Beauty of the Earth”

Commissioning (One)

Go forth, for the love of God is yours to share, the peace of Christ is yours to extend, the power of the Holy Spirit is yours to offer.

Choral Amen

#964 “Go Now In Peace”

Go now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you everywhere, everywhere you may go.

Postlude “Fugue” by William Selby

This Week at Westminster (May 27  – June 2)

Next Week at Westminster (June 3 – June 9)

Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. Prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.)

This weekend James and Jane are attending the Alberta & Northwest Conference “Celebration of Ministry Service” in Edmonton within which Jane is being recognized as a Lay Pastoral Minister. Her many years of commitment to this educational stream is now successfully completed. We can all be proud of her accomplishment as we benefit from her shared ministry.

We are needing a Sunday School Co-ordinator. If you feel you would like to offer your gifts for this ministry, please call Jane or leave a message with Anne in the office.

Congregational Picnic is June 3^rd. Hot dogs, veggies, fruit, freezies and beverages will be supplied.  Please bring chips or cookies. Races to follow outside.

UCW Executive will meet on June 3^rd following worship.

Square Circle UCW will have a supper meeting on June 6, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Alberta Room at the Callaghan Inn.

 “Adventures in Wilderness and Faith” for young adults ages 18 – 30 years. June 15 – 17,  Back packing weekend in the rockies. July 20 – 22, Camping and day hikes, Waterton National Park, and August 3 – 6, Canoe trip Lakeland Provincial Park.  For more information, and brochure, see bulletin board by Memorial Hall.

Canyon Camp: Registration forms and camp dates are posted on the bulletin board.

Camp Shagabec: Registration forms and camp dates are on the bulletin board. There are also summer job opportunities posted for this camp.

 The WUC Meditation Group has wrapped up their sessions for the spring/summer.  If you are interested in managing the chaos in your life, through various methods of Meditation, watch for a notice in mid-September of when we will reconvene.  New participants are always welcome.

The ministry of Westminster United Church was carried into the community this past week as James conducted the graveside service for Larry Lonson and the funeral service for one of our long time members, Olga Jauch. Our thoughts and prayers extend to the families of both of these persons.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Samantha Henderson, Annie Stetler, Daisy Adams, Vicki McCaig, Breanna Gerhardt, Todd O’Reilly, Elmer Nieman, Shauna Kohls Walters.

Anniversaries:  Anne & Dave Harris, Marg & Al Mattson.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinator..............

Greeters & Ushers   ………………………Electra UCW

Nursery Attendant ………………………Tanya Hoffarth

Coffee Hosts ……………………………...Electra UCW

Scripture Reader …………………………..Grace Lemon

Elder-in-Charge ……………………………...Ray Yanke

Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17, (25-27).